History

• Researchers Richard Lamb and Virginie Mieuletfrom, working at the University of Alberta, proposed that arginine assists the immune system in identifying and fighting invading bacteria. Their work, published in Science Signalling, suggested that arginine is useful in maintaining good health and preventing disease.
  
  

Function

• A healthy body uses many macrophage white blood cells to destroy infections. Prior research established that arginine is important to the function of macrophages, but Lamb and Mieuletfrom's work added to the body of research, suggesting that arginine also acts as a watchdog for invading bacteria.
  
  

Significance

• Lamb and Mieuletfrom reported that, even in the absence of proper nutrition, arginine helped the body to fight infections. The arginine protocol, in which supplements are used to increase arginine in the body, has the potential to significantly impact overall health in Third World countries suffering from widespread malnutrition. A medical professional should be consulted prior to implementing any medical protocols.